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Lesson 2: The Benefits of Native Plants

Objectives
 Students will:

  • learn that some plants are better adapted to survive in their local environment than others.
  • discover that well adapted plants grow better with less maintenance.
  • develop a list of landscape plants recommended for your site conditions.

Standards Addressed: click here


Central Concepts

  • Using plants adapted for your environment helps create a sustainable landscape and makes better use natural and financial resources.


Materials

  • Internet access and plant reference books
  • cactus plants (or another of your choice)
  • different types of soils
  • pots
  • clear 2-liter plastic bottles

Discussion Topics

  • How do people decide what plants to use in their gardens? They like the way they look; the plant performs a function, such as providing shade or habitat for animals; the plant is readily available.
  • Can plants of all kinds grow in any sort of environment? No, plants grow in different environmental conditions (e.g., full sun vs. shade; bogs vs. deserts); each evolved and adapted in a certain region, called its native range, but people move them to new locations – hopefully with similar conditions.
  • What are some benefits of growing plants that are adapted to our site's environmental conditions? The plants usually need less care (watering, fertilizing, pest control) because they are adapted to the soil and local moisture conditions, and often have natural defenses against native pests.

Activity

1. Use the discussion questions to introduce your students to the idea that plants are specially adapted to different regions of the world.

Plants all need access to specific elements (light, water, space to grow, nutrients, air), but different plants require them in different quantities. Some need a lot of sunlight, others need less. Some need a lot of nutrients to thrive, and some need very few. Each species has adapted to the basic conditions available to them in the environment where it has evolved over eons. That doesn’t mean it can’t grow in another environment, but it will grow best in conditions similar to its native land.

(Note: Non-native species introduced to regions that are similar to their native conditions often become invasive in the new environment. This is because the natural pest predators and competing plant species that usually keep their population in check are absent. Examples include plants such as kudzu and purple loosestrife.)

2. Challenge students to consider how they might demonstrate the fact that different plants need different growing conditions. If they need a hint, ask them what they know about the various biomes that exist on Earth.

You can easily demonstrates this principle that different species have different needs by asking students to grow a single plant species in a variety of conditions. If you use a plant that grows in an extreme environment, such as a desert-adapted cactus, you’ll see results quickly. Here’s how to proceed:

a. Obtain four identical cactus plants.

b. Plant one in sand, one in garden soil, one in sand with a clear plastic bottle covering the pot to create a humid environment, and one in garden soil with a clear plastic bottle covering the pot.

c. Track growth and development and ask students to draw conclusions. Discuss the benefits of growing plants that are well adapted for your environment, including:

  • They need less water and fertilizer
  • There are fewer problems with insects and diseases
  • The plants grow more vigorously

3. Individually or in groups, have students research plants that are well adapted to your region. Information is available on the Internet, in garden reference books, and from local sources. Consider inviting a guest speaker from your local Cooperative Extension Service Office or native plant society.

4. Use this information to create a recommended plant list for your area to distribute to the community. Begin by asking students, What kinds of information do we need to provide so that people can decide which plants will grow well in their conditions? (Students will need to indicate the sun, soil, and moisture conditions in which each plant thrives.)

5. The class can then use this list to determine which of the native plants they’ve learned about are best adapted to your school garden site. Invite students to create signs or a brochure that explains why they included each plant in the garden.



Extensions

History: Research native plants important to the history of your state or region history. Create a display at a school or local library to share the information with others.

Social/Cultural Studies: Explore the role and importance of native plants in the United States and abroad using our free online curriculum, Mountain Adventures: Exploring the Himalayas, Andes, and Appalachians.

English: Have students write articles explaining the benefits of growing native plants, and profiling the qualities of specific natives. Select a few articles to place in your school or community newsletter.




Copyright© 2006 National Gardening Association